However, as prime minister, he himself worked assiduously to marginalise the forces of Hindutva as represented in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Jana Sangh. In the years when Jawaharlal Nehru was prime minister, Hindutva was recessive. The majoritarian instincts of the first BJP prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, were constrained by his party having to work with many coalition partners. The second BJP prime minister enjoyed two successive parliamentary majorities, and even when falling slightly short the third time, has shown himself to be ruthless in his prosecution of a Hindu-first agenda. All in all, India in 2026 is as close to being a Hindu Pakistan as it has ever been before.

Source: The Telegraph February 07, 2026 10:03 UTC